Hypoventilation

In medicine, hypoventilation occurs when ventilation is inadequate (hypo) to perform gas exchange. It generally causes an increased concentration of carbon dioxide(hypercapnia) and respiratory acidosis. It can be caused by medical conditions, by holding one's breath, or by drugs. Hypoventilation may be dangerous for those with sleep apnea.

As a side effectof drugs, hypoventilation may become potentially life-threatening for recreational drugusers. Heroinis notorious for this effect; in an overdose, an individual may cease breathing (respiratory arrest).

A disorder referred to as "CCHS" or "Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome" is recognized.

The opposite condition is hyperventilation, which is caused by to much ventilation resulting in low carbon dioxide levels or hypocapniaas opposed to hypercapnia.

de:Hypoventilation

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoventilation Wikipedia article Hypoventilation.